Florida Sheriff Discusses Undercover Sting Operation Leading to 171 Arrests and Teen Rescue

Operation Focus and Scope

• 🎯 The operation, initiated in July, aimed to target individuals seeking to exploit children for sex.
• 🗓️ Efforts were concentrated leading up to Halloween, involving multiple units including the internet predator unit, sexual predator unit, and human trafficking squad.
• 🤝 Collaboration with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the organization 'One More Child' was crucial for resources and victim support.

Operational Successes and Arrests

• ⚖️ The sting operation resulted in 171 arrests of individuals who met undercover detectives with the intent to engage in illegal sexual activity with minors.
• 🔍 Investigative methods included executing residential search warrants, dark web investigations, undercover online chats, and sex offender checks.
• 🚫 All 175 registered sexual predators in the community were found to be in compliance with their supervision terms.

Notable Case Highlights

• 🍎 Robert Hess, a Chamberlain High School teacher, was arrested for agreeing to pay $140 for sex with an undercover detective posing as a 15-year-old.
• 🚗 Can Tran was arrested after fleeing law enforcement, driving erratically, and striking an innocent bystander while attempting to evade apprehension.
• 🔞 Frank Corso, 69, was arrested for possession of over a million child pornography images and videos, with his daughter and grandchildren living in the same residence.
• 💔 A 17-year-old victim was rescued from human trafficking by Devonte Faru Harrison and Marcel Wash, who were arrested after attempting to profit from her exploitation.

Victim Support and Future Operations

• 🏠 'One More Child' provides a crucial 'one-stop shop' for rescued victims, offering respite care, housing, counseling, and detox services.
• 💰 Charitable efforts help fund operations for sheriff's offices across Florida that may lack the economic ability to conduct such investigations.
• 🎃 Increased covert and overt presence was planned for Halloween night to ensure child safety during the holiday.